Plattsburgh – Morrisonville – Syracuse

On March 19, 1984 at 08:58 PM, Plattsburgh – Morrisonville – Syracuse experienced a crash involving Beechcraft H18, operated by Sair Aviation, with the event recorded near Morissonville New York.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

1 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. The pilot landed on the ice and snow covered runway after loading 1,512 lbs of cargo in freezing drizzle conditions, he taxied for takeoff for an IFR departure shortly after rotation, the right wing dropped and the aircraft touched down back on the runway. Visual exam of the aircraft revealed ice accumulations on the leading edges and upper wing surfaces. The pilot attempted to get deice equipment, which was not available. The pilot was offered use of a hangar which he declined. The airport manager was en route to check runway condition for plowing the ice and snow covered runway when the pilot returned to the aircraft. An unsuccessful attempt was made to remove ice from the leading edges by hand. The pilot decided to attempt another takeoff and at this time was almost 1/2 hour beyond his scheduled departure time. Liftoff was approximately 1/5 of way down and after flying at 50 feet agl initiated climb. After attaining an altitude of several hundred feet, the aircraft stalled and descended uncontrolled to impact. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire and the pilot was fatally injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration N218X, MSN BA-689, year of manufacture 1964.